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Posted by: In: Other 26 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

862-The Beautiful South-Love Is.

1989-It has never been released as single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 6.05. Right, we’ve done our song, now who knows that one by the Beatles.

The Beautiful South were formed in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 1988, by Paul Heaton, (vocals) and Dave Hemingway, (vocals) following the break up of their previous band The Housemartins (see also best songs 387.) They were soon joined by Sean Welch, (bass) Dave Stead, (drums) and Dave Rotheray, (guitar) and it was this quintet who played on this song. Briana Corrigan who sang guest vocals on this track, became an official member in 1990, and sang vocals on The Beautiful South’s second and third studio Albums in 1990, and 1992. Jacqui Abbott was the female vocalist for Albums four through to seven, and Alison Wheeler provided her vocals on the final three The Beautiful South Albums. In total there have been eight different members of The Beautiful South, from their inception in 1988, through until the split in 2007, when tongue in cheek they claimed, that the split was due to ‘musical similarities.’

The Beautiful South who have sold in excess of 15 million records, released 10 studio Albums between 1989-2006, and 34 singles in the same time period, there are also five official compilation Albums available, including ‘Carry On Up the Charts: The Best of the Beautiful South,’ which has sold over 1.8 million copies, and was the second best selling Album in the UK in 1994.All 10 of their studio Albums have reached the UK top 20, with two of them making Number 1. They have also achieved 21 top 40 singles in the UK, with ‘A Little Time’ from 1990 making the Number 1 spot.

‘Love Is’ was co-written by Paul Heaton, and Dave Rotherway, who were the groups main two songwriters, with the production credited to Mike Hedges (see also best songs 668.) ‘Love Is’ which was never issued as a single, appears as track 10 on The Beautiful South’s debut studio Album ‘Welcome to the Beautiful South,’ from October 1989. There were three singles released from the Album, including the groups debut single ‘Song for Whoever’ (UK-Number 2.)

Paul David Heaton was born on May 9th, 1962, in Bromborough, Cheshire, England. Billing himself as ‘P.d. Heaton,’ he formed ‘The Housemartins’ in 1983, they released two studio Albums in 1986, and 1987, and nine singles between 1985-1988, and then at the height of their success they split, with Heaton going on to form The Beautiful South. Paul Heaton who is critically acclaimed as one of the UK’s best ever songwriters, has also released nine ‘solo’ studio Albums between 2001-2022, and 20 singles in the same time period. His latest five Albums since 2014, have been in collaboration with the ex The Beautiful South vocalist Jacqui Abbott, with their last two Albums, both reaching Number 1 in the UK. Paul Heaton has also issued two compilation Albums, with ‘The Last King of Pop’ from 2018, bringing together 23 of his compositions that he recorded throughout his career in The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, his solo years, and also his collaborations with Jacqui Abbott.

I can only think that ‘Love Is’ was never issued as a single because of it’s considerable length (7 minutes and 4 seconds.) The song tells the tale of how hollow fame can be. It says that you only want to be associated with me because I am famous, and in 25 years from now when I am long forgotten, will you be bothered to come to my cremation.

‘So here’s an invitation to this caring nation. Twenty-five years from now, will you come to my cremation? Sherry or beer, family and friends, will you be there? Will you be there? No fame, no fortune, no name in lights, will you be there? Will you be there?’

Posted by: In: Other 25 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

863-Boys Town Gang-Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

1982-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 4.31. This is one of the most covered songs in the world ever, and has been interpreted in many different musical genres.

The Boys Town Gang was the brainchild of the American DJ and music producer Bill Motley, who formed the ‘Boys Town Gang’ in 1980, in San Francisco, California, United States, to cater for the large gay community. The Boys Town Gang comprised of four members, Cynthia Manley, between 1980-1981, Jackson Moore, between 1981-1984, Tom Morley, between 1980-1984, and Bruce Carlton, between 1981-1984. Motley would record mainly classic 1960’s, and 1970’s hits, in a ‘Post Disco’ style, with both the use of an orchestra, and synthesizers. The Boys Town Gang released three studio Albums between 1981-1984, and 11 singles between 1981-1985, with a further four singles issued from 1988-1997. Although they never troubled the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, three of their tracks did make the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart. Their greatest success was in Europe, where their version of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,’ reached Number 4 in the UK, and Number 1 in Spain, and Belgium. The Boys Town Gang’s debut Album ‘Cruisin’ the Streets,’ featured lead vocals by Cynthia Manley, who departed the group soon after, and was replaced by Jackson Moore for the second Album, which included, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.’ For the third and final Album Bill Motley introduced guest artists, including ‘Two Tons O’ Fun,’ ‘Sylvester,’ (1947-1988) (see also best songs 162) ‘Margaret Reynolds,’ and ‘Marlena Shaw’ (see also best songs 98.)

The music of the Boys Town Gang can be described as ‘Post Disco,’ and ‘Hi-NRG’ (see also best songs 534.) ‘Post Disco’ is the term used to describe the period of 1979-1986, in the aftermath of ‘Disco’ music, which had been the most popular music genre during the 1970’s, but had run it’s course, with many coming to despise it, probably through being force fed it from the various media outlets. Whereas ‘Disco’ music had been played live in the recording studios by orchestras, ‘Post Disco’ saw the orchestras replaced by drum machines, synthesizers, and sequencers. During the early years of the 1980’s Electronic instruments were becoming more and more prevalent, and by the mid 1980’s they had become the dominant force in ‘Pop Music,’ with artists such as Madonna, (see also best songs 774 and 587) New Order, (see also best songs 885 and 619) and the Pet Shop Boys,’ (see also best songs 871 and 378) bringing ‘Electronic Music’ into the mainstream.

‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ (see also best songs 112) is one of the most covered songs of all time, it was written by the legendary song writing team of Bob Crewe, (1930-2014) and Bob Gaudio, (see also best songs 1007-914-739-499-393-284-164-112 and 83) with the original version of the song being recorded by Frankie Valli (see also best songs 739-284 and 83) in 1967.

Bob Crewe was born Robert Stanley Crewe on November 12th, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, he died on September 11th, 2014, at the age of 83, having been in declining health for several years following a fall. In 1953 Bob Crewe created a songwriting partnership with Frank Slay Jr. (1930-2017) and the duo are best remembered for writing the ‘Doo-Wop’ anthem ‘Silhouettes.’ It was in the early 1960’s that Crewe first began writing with Bob Gaudio, with their first composition ‘Sherry,’ making Number 1 on Billboard in 1962, for the Four Seasons. Crewe also had great success in the 1970’s, when teaming up with Kenny Nolan. Two of their songs ‘My Eyes Adored You,’ by Frankie Valli, and ‘Lady Marmalade,’ by Labelle, became back to back Number 1 singles on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1975. In the stage musical and film, the ‘Jersey Boys,’ Crewe was portrayed as openly gay, but his brother Dan Crewe in an interview has said that his brother was discreet about his sexuality, particularly during the time he was working with the Four Seasons. Dan Crewe said,’Whenever he met someone, he would go into what I always called his John Wayne mode, this extreme machoism.’

‘I love you, baby, and if it’s quite alright I need you, baby, to warm the lonely night. I love you, baby, trust in me when I say, oh, pretty baby.’

Posted by: In: Other 24 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

864-Hot Chocolate-Brother Louie.

1973-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12. Between 1970-1980 in the UK, Hot Chocolate had at least one hit single every year, the only two other acts to match this fete were Elvis Presley, and Diana Ross.

Hot Chocolate were formed in West Hampstead, London, England, in 1968, by Errol Brown, (1943-2015) (vocals) Franklyn De Allie, (guitar) Jim King, (drums) Patrick Olive, (percussion) and Tony Wilson (bass.) Hot Chocolate remain active, and in total there have been 17 different members come and go, with Patrick Olive being the bands one constant. They started out as ‘The Hot Chocolate Band,’ which was eventually shortened to ‘Hot Chocolate,’ by Mickie Most, (1938-2003) after they signed to his ‘RAK’ record label. The discography of Hot Chocolate includes eight studio Albums released between 1974-1993, and 50 singles issued between 1969-1998, there are also 14 official compilation Albums available. In the UK, they have achieved 29 top 40 hits, with the Russ Ballard penned song ‘So You Win Again,’ reaching Number 1 in 1977. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have charted within the top 40 on five occasions, with ‘You Sexy Thing,’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1975.

Hot Chocolate began their recording career with a cover version of John Lennon’s (1940-1980) 1969 song ‘Give Peace a Chance,’ but before releasing it they had to get permission from Lennon, who was impressed enough to sign them to ‘Apple Records.’ Their version failed to chart, and in 1970 they moved on to ‘RAK’ records, and Micky Most. Tony Wilson along with Errol Brown, were the groups main songwriters, with Brown taking over more or less full control in 1976, after the departure of Wilson. In 1986 Brown, and Larry Ferguson departed the band, with Brown going on to pursue a solo career, which saw the release of four solo Albums between 1989-2001, and 14 singles issued between 1987-2002, with two of those tracks reaching the UK top 40. Lester Errol Brown was born on November 12, 1943, in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to the UK at the age of 12. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II named him a ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire,’ for ‘services to popular music for the United Kingdom.’ and in 2004 he received an ‘Ivor Novello Award’ for ‘outstanding contributions to British music.’

Hot Chocolate were one of the first high profile interracial groups in the UK, and this was very unusual for the time. ‘Brother Louie’ which was written by Errol Brown, and Tony Wilson, with the production by Mickie Most, is a song about an interracial love affair between a white man, and a black woman, who are told in no uncertain terms by their respective families that they shouldn’t be together. Errol Brown has said that the song was inspired by his own real life experiences,’That comes from early dating in a place where there’s a majority of white people,That was fine for us because we grew up and rubbed shoulders with other nationalities, so it wasn’t a heavy thing. but in those days a lot of white parents never had anything to do with black people. It was understandable, they just didn’t know what was going on, apart from what they read in books or saw on TV, jungle scenes.’ The spoken words on ‘Brother Louie’ were provided by Alexis Korner, (1928-1984) and although Cozy Powell, who was also signed to ‘RAK’ records at the time did do session work for Hot Chocolate, I cannot be fully sure that he played the drums on this song.

In America, the Hot Chocolate version of ‘Brother Louie’ failed to chart, with radio stations shying away from the songs controversial subject matter. Around six months after it’s American release a version by the New York City based Rock band ‘Stories,’ was issued, leaving out the spoken parts, and the verse where Louie meets the girl’s parents, this version went all the way to Number 1 on Billboard in America, and sold over one million copies, giving ‘Stories’ their one and only chart hit single.

In 2009 Errol Brown proudly spoke about being tagged Britain’s first multiracial Pop band.’That was deliberate. I wanted to show the world that we could work together, whatever our colour or creed. It may sound idealistic, but bigotry and prejudice have always offended my sensibilities. I thought it important to show that we were all God’s children, and needed to respect each other. This is my philosophy of life. It’s the way I’ve tried to live.’

‘See what I mean, Louie really caused a scene. He did, I tell you, ain’t no diff’rence ‘tween black or white, brothers, you know what I mean.’

Posted by: In: Other 23 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

865-Blake Shelton-Austin.

2001-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.13. If you’re accusing me of being a big sentimental slush, for including this most cheesy of love songs, then I’m guilty as charged your honour.

Blake Tollison Shelton was born on June 18th, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, United States, with Album sold in excess of 13 million copies, and singles sold topping 52 million, he is one of the most successful ‘Country Music’ artists of the 21st Century. Away from recording music, Shelton has appeared in six films, and had voice roles in two others between 2005-2019, he has also many television credits, including being a coach on the American ‘NBC’s,’ ‘The Voice,’ since its inception in 2011.

The discography of Blake Shelton includes 12 studio Albums released between 2001-2021, and 52 singles issued within the same time period. He has also released four extended plays, three of which have charted on the Billboard Country Music Album chart, and two of which have reached the Billboard 200 Album charts top 5 in America, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the ‘Billboard Hot Country’ singles chart, 46 of those tracks have charted within the top 40, with 14 making the Number 1 spot, while on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 18 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Boys ‘Round Here’ featuring Pistol Annies and Friends, peaking the highest at Number 12 in 2013. ‘Austin reached Number 1 on the Country chart, and Number 18 on the Hot 100, while in the UK, he has never charted within the top 40 singles chart.

‘Austin’ was the first of three singles released from Blake Shelton’s self titled debut studio Album from July 2001. The song was co-written by David Kent, and Kirsti Manna, with the production, and also the Album’s production, credited to Bobby Braddock. Kent and Manna had first offered ‘Austin’ to the Country Music artist Clay Walker, but he turned it down. On first hearing the song Shelton and Braddock were not two keen either, Braddock has said, ‘About a third of the way through the song, I was thinking, this is pretty corny,This is kinda like one of those Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan love stories. By the end of the song, I had a lump in my throat. Blake, not the real ‘sensitive guy,’ found it a little mushy for his taste, but I asked him to listen again, and he warmed up to it a bit.’

Bobby Braddock was born Robert Valentine Braddock, on August 5th, 1940, in Lakeland, Florida,United States, he is a member of the ‘Country Music Hall of Fame,’ and the ‘Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Braddock has written, or co-written 13 American Country Number 1 singles, with his best known composition in the UK being his 1968 co-write with Curly Putman, (1930-2016) (see also best songs 964 and 646) ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ which reached Number 12 in 1975 for Tammy Wynette (1942-1998) (see also best songs 329.) Another Braddock, and Putman co-write ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’ which was recorded by George Jones (1931-2013) in 1980, has been voted ‘Country Song of the Century’ in a poll by ‘Radio & Records’ magazine, as well as ‘Best Country Song of All Time,’ in a poll conducted by the ‘BBC,’ and ‘Country America’ magazine. It was Braddock who discovered Blake Shelton, getting him signed to his first recording contract, and then producing several of Shelton’ Country Number 1 songs.

It’s ironic that Braddock, who is nicknamed ‘The King of Tears,’ was not over keen on recording ‘Austin’ when he first heard it, as the song is one of the best ‘tearjerkers’ of all time. ‘Austin tells the tale of a woman who leaves her boyfriend, and moves away to Austin, Texas, thinking that she will have a better life there, but within a year she realises that she was wrong, and that she still loves him. She calls him and is always greeted by the answerphone, which always ends with the boyfriend saying,’And P.S. if this is Austin, I still love you. Eventually she plucks up the courage to leave her phone number, and then he rings her.

‘If your callin’ ’bout my heart, it’s still yours, I should have listened to it a little more. Then it wouldn’t have taken me so long to know where I belong. And by the way, boy, this is no machine your talkin’ to, can’t you tell, this is Austin, and I still love you.’

Posted by: In: Other 22 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

866-Kate Bush-Wuthering Heights.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46. Whilst most teenage girls were reading ‘Jackie,’ Catherine Bush was reading Emily Bronte’s novel.

Kate Bush was born Catherine Bush on July 30th, 1958, in Bexleyheath, Kent, London, England, at the age of 19 in 1978 she became the first ever female artist to have a UK Number 1 on the singles chart with a self written composition, when ‘Wuthering Heights’ topped the chart for four weeks. Bush was also the first female artist in Pop Music history to have written every track on a million selling debut Album (‘The Kick Inside.’) The discography of Kate Bush includes 10 studio Albums released between 1978-2011, and 36 singles issued, or re-issued between 1978-2022, there are also five EP’s released between 1978-2011, which include the ‘Kate Bush On Stage’ EP, from 1979, which included the track ‘Them Heavy People,’ which reached Number 10 on the UK singles chart. Kate Bush has also released four box sets, two compilation Albums, and two live Albums. In the UK, all 10 of her studio Albums have reached the top 10, with two of them making Number 1, while 25 of her singles have reached the UK top 40, with ‘Wuthering Heights,’ and the 2022 re-issue of ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God’) both making Number 1. In America, two of her studio Albums have reached the Billboard top 40, with ‘Hounds of Love’ from 1985, peaking the highest at Number 12, while on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, her only song to chart within the top 40 remains ”Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God’) which reached Number 30 in 1985, and Number 3 on re-issue in 2022.

‘Wuthering Heights’ was the first of five singles released from ‘The Kick Inside,’ the debut studio Album by Kate Bush, from February 1978, ‘Wuthering Heights’ was written by Kate Bush, and produced by Andrew Powell (see also best songs 130-81 and 2.) Kate Bush had been inspired to write ‘Wuthering Heights’ after watching the 1967 BBC television adaption of the 1847 novel ‘Wuthering Heights,’ she then read the book, and after learning that she shared the same birthday of July 30th, with the author Emily Bronte, (1818-1848) she felt an even closer affiliation. ‘Wuthering Heights’ is sung from the perspective of the books character Catherine Earnshaw, who is pleading at Heathcliff’s window to be allowed in to his room, those who have read the novel will know that Catherine is actually a ghost. The songs lyrics include dialogue from the novel such as, ‘Let me in,’ ‘I’m cold,’ and ‘Bad dreams in the night.’ Kate Bush has said,’The name Cathy helped, and made it easier to project my own feelings of want for someone so much that you hate them. I could understand how Cathy felt.’ Kate has also said that she felt such a connection with the text, that she even found lines in the book after she’d already written them in the lyrics.

‘Wuthering Heights’ which has sold in excess of 600,000 copies in the UK, was re-recorded in 1986 with new vocals, for Kate Bush’s first compilation Album ‘The Whole Story,’ that version of the song also appears as the ‘B’ side to her 1986 single ‘Experiment IV’ (UK-Number 23.) As well as producing the original 1978 version of ‘Wuthering Heights,’ Andrew Powell also arranged the song, and played bass guitar, and celeste (keyboard instrument.) Other artists who played on the track include Duncan Mackay, (Hammond organ) and Stuart Elliott, (drums) both had been former members of the English Rock group ‘Cockney Rebel’ (see also best songs 410 and 2.) There were also two members of the Scottish band ‘Pilot,’ who had had a UK Number 1 hit with ‘January,’ in 1975, playing on ‘Wuthering Heights, they were David Paton, who had written ‘January, (acoustic guitar) and Ian Bairnson, (1953-2023) (electric guitar.) Ian Bairnson, who it is said, played the guitar solo with a broken arm, has admitted that he initially disliked the ‘tone’ for many years, due to ‘purely guitarist reasons.’

‘Out on the wiley, windy moors we’d roll and fall in green. You had a temper like my jealousy, too hot, too greedy. How could you leave me, when I needed to possess you? I hated you, I loved you, too.’

Posted by: In: Other 20 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

867-Big Audio Dynamite-E=MC2.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 3.37. You don’t have to be an Albert Einstein to work out just how good this song is.

Big Audio Dynamite, which is often abbreviated to ‘BAD,’ were formed in London, England, in 1984, by Mick Jones, following his dismissal from ‘The Clash’ (see also best songs 638 and 294). Big Audio Dynamite, who would later become ‘Big Audio Dynamite II,’ and then ‘Big Audio,’ were active between 1984-1990, as ‘Big Audio Dynamite,’ and then between 1990-1993 as ‘Big Audio Dynamite II,’ and then as ‘Big Audio,’ between 1994-1995, they then became ‘Big Audio Dynamite’ again between 1996-1998, in 2011 the group reformed as ‘Big Audio Dynamite’ once more. In total there have been 13 different members come and go, with Mick Jones being the groups one constant.

The discography of ‘Big Audio Dynamite’ in all of it’s different guises, includes nine studio Albums released between 1985-1999, and 17 singles issued between 1985-1998, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In the UK, ‘Big Audio Dynamite’ have had two top 40 singles, with ‘Medicine Show’ from 1986, being their other chart entry, when peaking at Number 29. In 1991 their track ‘Rush’ was released as a double ‘A’ sided single with ‘The Clash’s’ song ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go,’ which went all the way to Number 1 in the UK, but the UK charts official compilers ruled against ‘Rush’ being granted Number 1 status as it was not a song by ‘The Clash,’ and therefore it was officially seen as the ‘B’ side for chart purposes. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,’Rush’ was granted double ‘A’ sided status, and charted at Number 32, giving them their only top 40 hit in that country, although seven of their songs have made the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, with ‘Rush,’ and ‘Just Play Music’ from 1988, both reaching Number 1.

Mick Jones was born Michael Geoffrey Jones, on June 26th, 1955, in Wandsworth, London, England. His first venture in to music was as a guitarist with the ‘Glam Rock’ band ‘Delinquents,’ in the early 1970’s. He then met Tony James, (see also best songs 163) and formed the ‘Proto-Punk’ group, ‘London SS,’ until they split in 1976. When Jones was 21 years old in 1976, he was introduced to Joe Strummer, (1952-2002) and later that year the pair were two of the co-founders of ‘The Clash.’ In 1983 Jones was fired by ‘The Clash,’ and became a founding member of ‘General Public,’ where he appeared on their debut Album ‘All the Rage,’ before leaving to form ‘Big Audio Dynamite.’ Other projects that Mick Jones has been involved in, include, performing with the ‘Gorillaz,’ ‘The Justice Tonight Band,’ and ‘The Flaming Lips.’

‘E=MC2’ was co-written by Mick Jones, and fellow band member Don Letts, with the production credited to Jones. The song was the second of three singles released from ‘This Is Big Audio Dynamite,’ the debut studio Album from ‘Big Audio Dynamite,’ from November 1985. The majority of the lyrics to ‘E=MC2’ were written by Don Letts, and the song is a tribute to the English film director, and cinematographer, Nicolas Roeg (1928-2018.) The lyrics refer to several of Roeg’s films, including, ‘Performance,’ (1970) ‘Walkabout,’ (1971) ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ (1976) and ‘Bad Timing’ (1980.) ‘E=MC2’ also heavily samples dialogue from the 1970 film ‘Performance,’ which starred Mick Jagger (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77.)

‘E=MC2’ is Albert Einstein’s (1879-1955) formula that made Nuclear Power possible. It states that energy (E) is equivalent to mass (M) times the square of the speed of light (C.) In other words, matter is energy, and mass is the measure of an object’s energy. (After reading that, I think I had best stick to my music.)

‘Space guy fell from the sky, scratched my head and wondered why. Time slides into time, across international dateline. Scientist eats bubblegum, hall of fame, baseball Senator’s a hoodlum, big chiefs in the hall.’

Posted by: In: Other 19 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

868-Tony Bennett- I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

1962-Number 25 single.

Best Bit-At 0.43. The very last of the ‘Classic Crooners.’

Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, on August 3rd, 1926, in New York City, New York, United States, it was the legendary English comedian Bob Hope (1903-2003) who suggested the stage name Tony Bennett. Prior to Bennett’s music career taking off, he had been drafted in to the United States Army in November 1944, during the later stages of ‘ World War II,’ where he was assigned as a replacement infantryman to the ‘255th Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division,’ a unit filling in for the heavy losses suffered in the ‘Battle of the Bulge.’ He moved across France and later into Germany, and then in March 1945 he joined the front line, in what he would later describe as a ‘Front-row seat in hell.’

Bennett had his greatest commercial success in the 1940’s, 1950′, and the early 1960’s, but as ‘Rock’ music became the dominant force, Bennett found that the hits were beginning to dry up. By the late 1970’s he was at an all time low, and had become dependant on drugs. The turnaround came after a near fatal cocaine overdose in 1979, after which his sons Danny, and Dae stepped in, with Danny taking over as his manager, and supervising his financial affairs, which would see a big upturn in Bennett’s life and career. Tony Bennett who has been married three times, entered into a long-term romantic relationship with Susan Crow in the late 1980’s. Crow, who was born in 1966 is 40 years younger than Bennett, and grew up in a family of devoted fans of the singer. Bennett had once posed for a photograph with Crow’s mother, Marion, while she was pregnant with her. As a teenager, Crow had been the head of the singer’s ‘Bay Area’ fan club. In 2016 Bennett was diagnosed with ‘Alzheimer’s disease,’ but because of the nature of it’s slow progression he was able to continue recording and performing live up until 2021. In a glowing tribute to Tony Bennett, in 1965 Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) had this to say,’For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me. He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little more.’

The extensive discography of Tony Bennett includes 61 studio Albums released between 1952-2015, and eight collaborative Albums released between 2001-2021, there are also 33 official compilation Albums, and 11 live Albums available. Tony Bennett has also issued 83 singles between 1951-2021, of which 32 have made the Billboard Hot 100 charts top 40, with three of those tracks reaching Number 1, with ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco.’ peaking at Number 19. In the UK, he has charted within the top 40 on nine occasions, with ‘Stranger in Paradise’ topping the chart in 1953.

‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ was written in 1953 by Douglass Cross, (1920-1975) (lyrics) and George Cory (1920-1978) (music.) The song was originally written for the American actress, and operatic contralto singer Claramae Turner, (1920-2013) who would often use the song as her encore, but she never got around to recording it in a studio. The song eventually came to the attention of the Jazz Pianist, and musical arranger Ralph Sharon, (1923-2015) who had worked with Tony Bennett since 1958. At the time Sharon and Bennett were on tour, and Bennett first introduced the song when performing at the ‘San Francisco Fairmont Hotel, in December 1961. ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco,’ which has since become the ‘signature tune’ of Tony Bennett was adopted by the City and County of San Francisco on May 15th, 1984, as one of it’s two official anthems, the other being the ‘Theme from San Francisco,’ from the 1936 film ‘San Francisco.’

‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ was the last song Tony Bennett ever sang in concert. He used it to close the show with Lady Gaga (see also best songs 363) at the ‘Radio City Music Hall,’ in New York, on August 5th, 2021.

‘My love waits there in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea. When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me.’

Posted by: In: Other 18 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

869-Hank C. Burnette-Spinning Rock Boogie.

1971- It didn’t chart in the UK until 1976, when it reached Number 21.

Best Bit-At 2.12. The song could only ever have been an instrumental, as no one could ever sing fast enough to keep up with the beat.

Hank C. Burnette was born Sven-Åke Kenneth Högberg, on December 12th, 1944, in Sveg, Sweden. His stage name came about in the early 1960’s when he, and his manager Larry Stevens chose, ‘Hank,’ in tribute to the American singer/songwriter ‘Hank Williams,’ (1923-1953) (see also best songs 555) the ‘C’ is in honour of the American Country Music singer ‘Chet Atkins,’ (1924-2001) and ‘Burnette,’ is an acknowledgement of the American ‘Rockabilly’ singer/songwriter ‘Johnny Burnette’ (1934-1964.)

It was seeing Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) perform on television that sealed a life in music for the young Sven-Ake Högberg, he has explained,’It was like a full blown tornado had hit me. This mean-eyed rebellious looking cat, with a sneer grin on his upper lip, dark greasy pompadour hairdo and sharp sideburns, accompanied by a big, boxy ‘Gibson J-200’ loosely slung over his right hip, really looked like…something, to put it mildly, and with a name like Elvis Presley, where the hell did he come from…outer space? And his music was, of course, nothing less than a cultural shock to me He, right there and then, totally changed my way of thinking, my way of performing, my way of playing and gave me my first genuine insight into what real down-to-earth, red hot rootsy ‘Rock Music’ was all about. And from then on it was goodbye nice boy crew cut manners and trifling accordion waste-o-rama, and hello greasy, mean eyed real gone red hot down to earth ‘Rock’N’Roll’ music that mattered and nothing else.’ Following the ‘revelation’ of seeing ‘Elvis,’ he formed his own five piece band, calling themselves ‘Teddy &The Teddy Bears,’ after the 1957 American Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 3 single ‘Teddy Bear,’ which had been recorded by Presley, ‘Teddy &The Teddy Bears,’ remained active until January 1960.

‘Spinning Rock Boogie’ was originally written by Hank C. Burnette in 1971, but it didn’t become a hit until 1976, when it was edited from it’s original four minutes plus, to just under three minutes, and heavily promoted by the ‘Sonet’ record label in Europe. It is said that over his career Hank C. Burnette has recorded well over 1000 songs, releasing many of them on Albums, compilation Albums, singles, and EP’s. He is best known for musically working in the ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll,’ and ‘Rockabilly’ genres, where he has been a leading figure. At the time of writing ‘Spinning Rock Boogie,’ remains his only charting single in the UK.

‘Rockabilly’ is an early style of ‘Rock’N’Roll’ music, that dates back to the early 1950’s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles, such as Country, with that of ‘Rhythm & Blues,’ leading to what is considered ‘classic’ ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll.’ Some have also described it as a blend of ‘Bluegrass’ with ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll.’ The term ‘Rockabilly’ itself is a blend of ‘Rock’ (from ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll”) and ‘Hillbilly,’ the latter is a reference to Country Music, which was often called ‘Hillbilly Music’ in the 1940’s and 1950’s that contributed strongly to the style. Other important influences on ‘Rockabilly’ include Western Swing, Boogie-Woogie, Jump Blues, and Electric Blues. One of the first written uses of the term ‘Rockabilly’ was in a press release describing Gene Vincent’s (1935-1971) ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula.’ (see also best songs 757.) Three weeks later, it was also used in a June 23rd, 1956, Billboard review of Ruckus Tyler’s “Rock Town Rock.’ The first record to contain the word ‘Rockabilly’ in a song title was ‘Rock a Billy Gal,’ by Haydon Thompson, which was released in November 1956. Johnny Burnette with the ‘Rock and Roll Trio’ had been playing a song called ‘Rock Billy Boogie’ since 1953, but they did not release it until 1957.

‘Can’t stop, a keep Rockin’ kid.’

Posted by: In: Other 17 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

870-Kelly Clarkson-Since U Been Gone.

2005-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.43. Ever wondered why so many songs from the early part of the 21st Century sounded similar? It was the fault of Max Martin, and Dr Luke.

Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born on April 24th, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, she is a singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. Her big breakthrough came in 2002 when she became the first winner of the inaugural television series ‘American Idol: The Search for a Superstar.’ Immediately after winning ‘American Idol,’ she was signed to a record deal with ‘RCA Records,’ with the American record producer Clive Davis enlisted to work with her on her debut Album.

Kelly Clarkson at the time of writing has sold in excess of 28 million Albums, and 54 million singles worldwide, her discography includes 10 studio Albums released between 2003-2023, and 53 singles issued between 2002-2023, there is also one official compilation Album, and one official remix Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she had had 18 top 40 hits, with three of those tracks reaching Number 1, ‘Since U Been Gone’ peaked at Number 2. In the UK, Kelly Clarkson has charted on 17 occasions, with ‘My Life Would Suck Without You,’ from 2009, making Number 1. Kelly Clarkson has also appeared in four films between 2003-2020, and was a judge on the American singing reality competition television series ‘The Voice,’ between 2018-2021, before returning to the show in 2023. Clarkson has also hosted the American daytime television variety talk show ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show,’ since 2019.

‘Since U Been Gone’ was co-written by Max Martin (see also best songs 824 and 317) and Dr. Luke, (see also best songs 953-824 and 566) with that duo also being the songs producers. ‘Since U Been Gone’ was the first of five singles to be released from Kelly Clarkson’s second studio Album ‘Breakaway,’ from November 2004. By 2004 Max Martin, and Dr Luke had written and produced many ‘Pop’ hits, and they were now wanting to produce a song with more of a ‘Rock’ influence. Both Martin and Luke had been listening to, and admiring ‘Alternative Rock,’ and ‘Indie Rock,’ and were particularly attracted to the song ‘Maps,’ by the American Indie Rock band ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs.’ Dr Luke has said,’That was a conscious move by Max and myself, because we were listening to Alternative and Indie music … I said, ‘Ah, I love this song,’ and Max was like, ‘If they would just write a damn pop chorus on it!’ It was driving him nuts, because that indie song was sort of on six, going to seven, going to eight, the chorus comes … and it goes back down to five. It drove him crazy. And when he said that, it was like, light bulb. ‘Why don’t we do that, but put a big chorus on it?” It worked.’ ‘Since U Been Gone,’ and ‘Maps’ share many similarities, ‘Karen O’ who is the lead singer of ‘ Yeah Yeah Yeahs,’ and wrote ‘Maps’ has said noticing the similarity was, ‘like getting bitten by a poisonous varmint.’

‘Since U Been Gone’ had been written with ‘Pink’ (see also best songs 296) in mind, but she turned it down, it was then offered to Hilary Duff, but she rejected it, because she couldn’t reach the songs higher notes. Clive Davis then stepped in, and after much persuasion, as Martin and Luke were not keen on an ‘American Idol’ winner singing their song, they finally relented. Clarkson too initially was reluctant to record the song, as on first listen she thought it to be too ‘Poppy,’ as she was wanting to move her sound in to a more ‘Rock’ orientated style. Clarkson suggested to Martin and Luke that drums and a guitar should be added to the song, with the end result satisfying all three parties. Kelly Clarkson has said that the song is about a relationship turned sour, although it was going well at the very beginning.

‘Here’s the thing, we started out friends, it was cool but it was all pretend, yeah, yeah, since you been gone. You dedicated, you took the time, wasn’t long ’til I called you mine, yeah, yeah, since you been gone.’

Posted by: In: Other 16 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

871-Pet Shop Boys-A Red Letter Day.

1997-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 3.47. A red letter day, is a day of special significance, it dates back to Roman times (509-27 BC) when important dates were indicated in red, in their calendar.

‘A Red Letter Day’ was the fourth of five singles released from the Pet Shop Boys (see also best songs 378) sixth studio Album ‘Bilingual,’ from September 1996, with the songs writing, and it’s production credited to Neil Tennant, and Chris Lowe, the two members of the Pet Shop Boys. At the time ‘A Red Letter Day’ held the unenviable record of the biggest weekly fall in UK chart history, having entered the top 40 at Number 9, and a week later dropping to Number 42. This was beaten the following year by the English Rock band ‘Embrace,’ whose single ‘My Weakness Is None of Your Business,’ fell from Number 9 to Number 44 the following week. As with the majority of Pet Shop Boys singles there are many commissioned remixes, and Neil Tennant was so impressed with the ‘Motiv8’ remix, that he incorporated the synth line into the official single, the original version of the song is track 7 on ‘Bilingual.’

‘Motiv8’ is the alias of the British Electronic Dance Music producer, songwriter, remixer and sound engineer Steve Rodway, who has been a go to remixer for artists including the ‘Spice Girls,’ ‘Pulp,’ and ‘Erasure.’ Rodway’s most high profile success was co-writing and producing ‘Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit,’ which became a UK Number 1 hit for Gina G, in 1996, the song was also that years entry for the UK in the ‘Eurovision Song Contest. Steve Rodway has also released eight singles between 1982-2005, of which three have made the UK top 40, with ‘Rockin’ for Myself,’ featuring Angie Brown, charting the highest at Number 18.

Neil Francis Tennant was born on July 10th, 1954, in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, it was in 1981 that he formed the Pet Shop Boys with Chris Lowe. Prior to the Pet Shop Boys, Tennant had been a journalist, working his way up to being the assistant editor of the influential British music magazine ‘Smash Hits,’ which was aimed at young adults. Tennant got his big breakthrough in music when as a journalist for ‘Smash Hits’ he went to New York to interview ‘The Police’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727.) While there, Tennant arranged to meet Bobby Orlando, a producer whom he and Chris Lowe had long admired. Tennant mentioned he was writing songs in his spare time, and Orlando agreed to record some tracks with him and Lowe at a later date. Orlando subsequently produced the Pet Shop Boys’ first single, ‘West End Girls,’ which went on to become a UK and American Billboard Number 1 single in 1986. Away from the Pet Shop Boys, Tennant has sung lead vocals on ‘Disappointed,’ (UK-Number 6, 1992) and backing vocals on ‘Getting Away With It,’ (UK-Number 12, and Billboard Number 38 single in 1989) with the English Alternative Dance ‘supergroup’ ‘Electronic,’ formed by Bernard Sumner, (see also best songs 885 and 619) and Johnny Marr (see also best songs 673-222-167 and 42.) Tennant has also sang backing vocals on many other artists tracks, including for Boy George, (The Crying Game-1992 UK Number 22, and Billboard Number 15)) and Robbie Williams (No Regrets-1998 UK Number 4.)

‘A Red Letter Day’ tells us that being loved is far more important than having material things. The song has become somewhat of a ‘Gay Pride’ anthem, as it also tells us that being accepted for the person you are, is something you should always strive to achieve. The song also is (probably) highly political, with subtle lyrical messages telling us to vote for the ‘Labour Party,’ in the 1997 general election. There are also clues to the Pet Shop Boys political leanings in the songs video, of an endless queue of people waiting at an unemployment office. ‘Red Letter Day’ was released on March 17th, which was the final date that year on which the current Prime Minister John Major could call a general election. In 1998 Neil Tennant was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party, however, in the 2005 general election he voted for the Liberal Democrats, citing disillusionment with Labour’s ‘Identity Card’ scheme.

‘Go to work and take your calls, hang the fruits of your labour on the walls. Such precision and care, what does it matter if there’s no one here to share.’